The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-09-24
rHe coweoYs. LIFE.
A Word or Two in Their Defense by Or
or Their Number.

A Word or Two in Their Defense BY One
OF Their Number.
see q great deal written about ranch
life in Texas. Some of 1t is true, but
the bulk Of the alleged facts published
exist only in the mind of some gifted
reporter. with vivid Imagination. So
thought that letter from genuine
cowboy, one who rides the prairie for a
living from one end of the year to tho
other, through the cold winter and hot
summer alike, would be of interest,
particularly so rs being from one who
has ridden over nearly all the State of
Texas and part of Mexico on the back
of cow pony. In the first place the
life is n hard one; none but men OF
faultlcss constitution can stand it, In
valids and those seeking recreation can
doubtless bo benefited in health by
trip across the prairie on COW drive,
If they go for that purpose and do not
engage as a hand; but IL they ride tho
bucking pony and lasso the wild bull,
sleep in the open air regardless of
weather and eat bacon and bread, with
black coffee to season 1t, they will not
be benefited much So you may inform
all the young men in your neighbor-
hood desirous of trying ranch life not
to come out here unless they are made
Of wrought iron considerably ham,
mercd
OF course you would like to hear of
the society on u wild Texas COW ranch,
where six-shooters are served for break
fast, bowie knives for dinner and blood
and thunder for supper! Well, it is
simply intelligent and refined. No
where can you go to regular COW
ranch in the State of Texas and not be
Hospitality received and intelligently en-
tertained. The best is set before you and
no monetary consideration is thought
of. AS to the habits of the boys whilc
on "round-up," why of course the
wild, rugged and profitable business
makes bold, outspoken and liberal
men. They are as class clanish, like
soldiers; their business makes them so.
And, by the way, they are very much
like the soldier. AS a rule they are
fearless. Constant outdoor exercise,
and working with wild and dangerous
animals, inures them to danger and
bodily pain. So you may say that they
are as class equal to any in Texas.
Being of this bold, outspoken nature.
they generally make Rome howl"
while "doing up' place. The refined
woman is to them an angel. Of all
that has been written about them, did
you ever hear of one mistreating u
ladyp once knew q crowd of cow
boys to follow an emigrant family on
the Pecos river seventy-five miles. as u
protective guard. The sweet influence
of u lady is like the dew of heaven
upon their rough, honest natures.
AS to the profits of the business, they
are large, otherwise 10 one would fol-
low it. You never hear of strikers"
among the cowboys; they are all well
pleased. And yet there is no business
where strike would be so successful.
Sometimes one ranchman owns two or
three countes-1, ,000 900 or 1900, 900
acres-and employs from fifty to one
hundred hands, yet never word is
heard about small pay or of disrespect
to the "boss.' They hold his interest
as their own, and the business is car.
ried on more like self-protective CO.
operative colony than any thing else.
Yet there is q "boss" to whom all look
for instruction. He is also judge and
jury of the realm.
write this to correct many false re-
ports concerning ranch and ranch life
that every now and then appear in the
papers. We are not, nor are we con-
sidered by Texans to be. lot of cut
throats.-.Detr0I Free Press